USSOCOM DROPS PLAN TO RECAPITALIZE U-28A WITH AIR FORCE MC-12W PROJECT LIBERTY AIRCRAFT
WASHINGTON - U.S. Special Operations Command has abandoned plans to recapitalize its single-engine U-28A fleet with MC-12W Project Liberty aircraft from the Air Force, leaving 20 MC-12s without a home. The Project Liberty program was launched in July 2008 after Defense Secretary Gates called for improved ISR capabilities on the battlefield. A total of 51 aircraft were acquired, operated by Air Combat Command (41 airframes) and Special Operations Command (10 airframes, dubbed the MC-12 Javaman).
FY14 defense legislation called on the Air Force to draft a plan for the potential transfer of its 41 Project Liberty fleet to the Army. A subsequent transfer plan called for the Army to receive just eight aircraft from the Air Force, while SOCOM would receive the service's remaining 33 aircraft. Air Force Special Operations Command will still take on 13 MC-12s to stand up a new Air National Guard special operations ISR and foreign training unit in Oklahoma. The remaining 20 aircraft currently have nowhere to go. There is a chance that the Army could take more of the aircraft, otherwise they could be put into temporary storage until another buyer is found.
The MC-12 is a modified Beechcraft King Air 350.
You have 0 item(s) in your cart
